Blogging Through The Gospels: Matthew 21, Part 1

Matthew 21: what does it cover? Well, the first part anyway covers Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. I thought that it was really cool that just yesterday I attended SonRise and got a picture of "Jesus" in the triumphal entry. (see left).

Matthew 21 is so long that Amy over at Mom's Toolbox has divided the chapter into two days' worth of study. Today we get to study the first half, or verses 1-27. This first half of the chapter covers (of course) Jesus' triumphal entry, Jesus at the temple, a withering fig tree, and the authority of Jesus questioned.

Before we get onto our SOAP, there is one point that I'd like to share. Verses 12-17 tell of Jesus driving out all the buyers and sellers (once again!). After he does this, He roars:

""It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer', but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'" ~Matthew 21:13

After Jesus drove the marketplace out of the temple, the children, the blind, and the lame came to Jesus. He blessed the children and healed the blind and the lame. The children were so happy they continued to sing "Hosanna to the Son of David", overflowing from Jesus' triumphal entry just a short while ago. When when the chief priests and leaders came back (they too had been scared away!) they were indignant with what the kids were doing. My paraphrase:

"Do you hear what these kids are saying?" they roar.

"Yes. Don't you remember the Scriptures saying that little kids will praise my name??" replies Jesus.

I just really like that story. I also really like how Jesus uses Scripture to back up his reasons. If you really look, he uses Scripture a lot in his answers to the Pharisees and other leaders.

OK. Onto the SOAP of the day. I just really liked that story!

Scripture:

"The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

"Hosanna to the Son of David!"

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Hosanna in the highest!"" ~Matthew 21:9

Observation:

This is a wonderful verse from a wonderful story. Jesus is entering Jerusalem like a king, and everyone is really excited and welcoming him! But remember, in a few days, some of the same voices will be shouting, "Crucify him!".

Application:

One day some people were pro-Jesus, a week later that were actively campaigning to rid the earth of Him. Do you think that they really had a firm opinion of who they thought Jesus was? I don't think so. They just went along with the crowd, and the general consensus of the crowd determined their position and opinion. Application? Don't go along with the crowd. Stand up for what you believe in.

Prayer:

Dear God, help me to not go along with the crowd. Help me to stand up for you, and not let anyone else change that opinion. Amen. 

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P.S.--To learn more about this blogging-through-the-gospels program, or if YOU would like to join yourself (you're more than welcome-jump right in!!) click here.